Are You Reactive to External Influences?

Many times external influences affect usemotions.
tremendously. Take an example- Suppose you hadMost of us have trouble in handling over our inner child
disturbed childhood with a mother who made you feelto our adult self. The child does not want to leave
real fear. Now what happens when you meetcontrol. Our inner child comes in full picture when we
somebody who looks like your mother?are observing something beautiful or sad.
The child in you reacts with a feeling of fear, which,When we allow our adult to control the body, we
from childhood, you have learned not to reveal, so, nobecome logical in thinking. We do not run away from a
one will notice your inner reaction; but you know it'srope thinking that it is a snake, but we try to find out if
there. At the same time, the adult in you is sure thatit is a rope or snake. Adult does not react to emotions.
this is a different person who you need not fear. ButAdult makes judgment, which is logical.
this causes lot of disturbance in your mind. The pastOur inner parent behaves like our own parents. If your
memories and the present awareness are in conflict.think carefully you will find that you behave like your
The child who feared mother is in conflict with yourparents many times. This is because your adult is in
adult who says that child need not fear. Burt thiscontrol. This parent needs to be replaced by adult.
meeting brings in childhood memories that are veryWhen we react to anything external we should find
bad and upsets your balance of mind and peace.out who is reacting. Whether it is child, parent or adult. If
All of us a inner child, an adult and a parent in us. If ouradult is in control he/she can handle the situation in
adult is in control, it looks at everything logically, but iflogical and mature manner.
our parent or child is in control we are guided more by